No thoughts of eliminitis at NTFL club Waratah with a tough match against the Buffaloes to come

Traditional rivals Waratah and the Darwin Buffaloes battling to stay alive in the 20-21 NTFL finals race

Buffalo Tim Eldridge clears from defence. Picture: Celina Whan AFLNT/Media

WARATAH fans need no reminding of the premiership drought that set in almost 21 years ago.

The Gardens Oval club has been thereabouts since beating Palmerston in 2000, but nowhere near the powerhouse club that had won the two previous flags by big margins.

Midfielder Abe Ankers wants that to change, starting with a win over the unpredictable Darwin Buffaloes at TIO Stadium today.

A well rested Ankers is back in a red and white jumper for the elimination final, along with other big names in Mitch O’Donnell, Sam Godden and ruck pair Zach Westerberg and Arnold Kirby.

“We’re well aware it’s been a long time with out a flag and that they’re not given to you just because you’ve waited long enough or anything like that,’’ he said.

“It’s not worrying us too much, we’re worried about what’s in front of us, not what’s behind us.

“It’s not ideal coming into a finals series on the back of two losses, but we’ve had some time to work on a few things where we were found out.

“Everything has a silver lining and I see it as a blessing in disguise really.’’

The Buffaloes come into the game in a confident frame of mind despite a narrow loss to Southern Districts in the last round.

Inspirational skipper Jarrod Stokes, veteran goalkicker Matt Campbell, Shaun AhMat and Patrick Boles are all in back for a game that will end the season for the loser.

Last time they met: Darwin Buffaloes 11.7 (73) d Waratah 7.12 (54) (Round 17)